The Coriolis effect is a phenomenon that causes moving objects, like air and water, to turn and twist as they travel across the Earth's surface. This happens because the Earth spins on its axis. For example, when a storm forms in the Atlantic Ocean, it may rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis effect. This effect is crucial for understanding weather patterns and ocean currents. It helps explain why hurricanes, like Hurricane Katrina, spin in a specific direction and why ocean currents flow in particular paths. Without the Coriolis effect, our planet's climate and weather systems would be very different.